1. Keep Computers, Tablets and Game Consoles in an Open Space
It’s less likely that your children will explore inappropriate content if their screen is in a spot where everyone can see it. As I researched this topic-from using Facebook posts to asking other families, I thought Mary and I would be in the minority in setting this boundary early in our kids lives. However, most websites I checked included this specific digital boundary, including sites like MTV and ABC. At Findlaw.com, the recommendation is listed as a suggestion, but also as something you should do for kids ages 7-18.
2. Charge Mobile Devices in an Open Location Overnight
Requiring that all mobile devices be charged in one open location overnight is actually a habit that contributes to good health.
A friend of mine was telling me about the moment he and his wife started to implement this strategy. While checking his cell phone bill one day, he noticed there was a very large increase in texts sent and received. He noticed the texts were between the hours of 11:00 P.M. and 2:00 A.M. Apparently, late-night texting had been going on for a while. There was nothing inappropriate in the texts, but his thought-and mine-was, Why do you need to be texting between the hours of 11:00 P.M. and 2:00 A.M.?
Texting a boyfriend or a girlfriend in the middle of the night is not a life-or-death scenario, but inadequate sleep can be detrimental to your children’s health. Having your children dock and charge their cell phones in your room or another room of the home will go a long way at preventing sleepless nights. Just a thought.
3. Children Must Not Sign Up for Anything Unless They Get Permission
This point seems logical enough, but there are so many creative ads and product placements in the media that it’s hard to know which ones are for legitimate companies. It is an unfortunate fact that unscrupulous people often masquerade behind what appears to be something legitimate in order to gain information they can use to gain access to your children or to you for the purposes of identity theft.
In a report from the Bureau of Justice entitled, “Identity Theft Reported by Households, “In 2010, 7.0% of households in the United States, or about 8.6 million households, had at least one member age 12 or older who experienced one or more types of identity theft victimization.”9
Identity theft continues to be one of the fastest growing crimes today. Simply be aware, and help your children understand the importance of having parent permission before they sign up for anything.
Questions:
1. Do you have any current rules in your home that help your children be responsible with their media?
2. What are they?
Photo Credit:
shutterstock.com Image ID: 220885789 © nenetus